I have a PPL and try to fly regularly, I just love aeroplanes. I love being around them, they have so much character about them ... I can't be the only person on pprune who can see that all aeroplanes have character and spirit ... am I?
Erm ... moving on ...
My better half flies commercially. I thought that he would think that it is great that I am interested in flying, so that we can share flying together, but it doesnt seem so. He helps me with advice, but doesn't get excited about flying anymore. He's lost the passion for flying that he once had when he was going through what I am now. This upsets me when I tell him about how my flying went and what I did, and times that I am proud of my flying, but he seems indifferent sometimes.
I have taken a few female friends flying, who have all enjoyed it (even one who was afraid of heights). If I tell people that I hold a PPL the response is variable. Some people think that it is impressive, but others don't seem that bothered. I think it just depends what you're in to. I like girly things, but I also like machines too.
I wonder if it is to do with the fact that sometimes people can't relate to flying 'little' aeroplanes. It amuses me when people find it hard to get their head around the idea that I can fly an aeroplane on my own. If I tell people about flying, and say I flew on my own to xyz, women, often say, "Was there an instructor with you"? ... "No, I was on my own"... "What, there was no-body with you"? ... Noooo!